55 replies to this topic

[bobobobobiy]

So I've been looking around the forums for 4G builds, but can't really find a good one. Some like the 3 ML, but that means no heatsinks, which is bad news for anything that generates heat. Others say use one ML on the head, as it simplifies aiming and you can strip the arms. I use one ML on the left arm, so I can wave it around easily.

Should I ditch ML's? I tried it once, but I ended up as a sitting duck if a light got close up and took off my AC 20. On the other hand, I almost never use ML's if I'm brawling due to the heat.

[Wintersdark]

HBK-4G

80kph, so slower than most expect, but it works extremely well. 4 tons ammo, 3 ML's. If that's too hot, lose the hunch side arm laser and replace with another off-side torso DHS... But honestly, I prefer it this way.


Don't be afraid to experiment with smaller engines

[stealthraccoon]

Seriously, Hunchies don't need to break the 80 kph mark to be effective (I almost always leave a STD200 in my torso because I like as much ammo as possible). Get caught out in the open and you are LRM bait, get used to it. Stay with the group until you get up close, flank, twist like mad, and use cover whenever possible. Stick your AC right up their nose until you are a smoking hulk.

Edited by stealthraccoon, 02 February 2015 - 09:35 PM.

[Soulscour]

The 4G build is with the 250 engine and all upgrades. Its posted many times in many 4G threads which is one of the more talked about mechs since quirks. Smaller engine sizes are playable but not as good. Case in point the build Wintersdark posted

HBK-4G

vs

HBK-4G

extra leg armor vs 9kph and better heat efficiency? Come on....

Edited by Soulscour, 03 February 2015 - 03:50 AM.

[ShadowbaneX]

Your RT is a primary target for anyone that sees you. If you're sneaky, quick and torso twist like mad you can usually make use of 3-4 tons of ammo. 5 or 6 is pushing it. Also, since it's a target that RA ML falls off when the torso goes so I usually drop the ML for an extra ton of armour.

[Chadamir Fitzkrieg]

If you're a hunchback, be an assault escort. You get more damage, they soak the hits.

[UndeadEdd]

I use this build, after having a few matches where I actually ran out of ammo with 42 shots...
HBK-4G
If you play it smart, like an AC20 sniper, instead of a brawler, you will live long enough to use most of that ammo. Arm lasers are pretty useless, removing them and the arm armor allows for extra 4 tons of ammo.
The 250 engine with the ~90KPH top speed and the better heat efficiency is preferable for me over more armor/lasers.

[Raggedyman]

bobobobobiy, on 02 February 2015 - 08:06 PM, said:

Should I ditch ML's? I tried it once, but I ended up as a sitting duck if a light got close up and took off my AC 20. On the other hand, I almost never use ML's if I'm brawling due to the heat.

The 4G's role is to take it's AC20 around the field and hurt people, everything in your build needs to be centered around that.
The ML's are there to give some kick whilst the AC20 is cycling, so two or three for occasional use should be fine.
Speed is nice as it moves the AC20 around quicker, but due to the arc of your shots it doesn't have to be that fast as unless you have very good aim. Plus

Chadamir Fitzkrieg, on 03 February 2015 - 04:04 AM, said:

If you're a hunchback, be an assault escort. You get more damage, they soak the hits.

so don't plan on trying to keep up with the lights any time soon.
Ammo is important, as you'll be doing a lot of AC20 shooting. So make space for it as much as possible.

The Ultimate Hunchback guide is worth a read and the Golden Formula makes a great starting point for you to then play with to suit your personal style.

Edited by Raggedyman, 03 February 2015 - 05:10 AM.

[Ascaloth]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a238842cb466b26

STD210 + AC20 + 3ML + 2MG, 3 ton AC/20 ammo, 1 ton MG ammo, max armor except for the head. This setup work well in mid/short range engagements:

Short-range brawling: Full face time, unless the enemy is a boom-jager-like-mech. Use the AC/20 + MGs to quick rip-off components, or fast kill if his CT/XLST is weak. Use the lasers only when your heat is very low.

Mid-range brawling: Put your lasers to work, along with a few well-placed AC/20 shots - you don't have lots of ammo, so be careful with "lucky shots". Torso twist immediately between shots, don't worry too much if you lose an arm or the left torso. Try to close by while ripping armor off with your lasers.

Long-range engagements: You can't do that. Seriously. Hide and wait for a push or use cover to carefully approach. You are useless beyond 350m away.

Preferred Modules: AC/20 Cooldown, Medium Laser Range, Radar Deprivation, Seismic Sensor.

You can also change the AC/20+MGs for a Gauss Rifle, making it a poor-man's Grid Iron.

[UndeadEdd]

Ascaloth, on 03 February 2015 - 05:19 AM, said:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a238842cb466b26

STD210 + AC20 + 3ML + 2MG, 3 ton AC/20 ammo, 1 ton MG ammo, max armor except for the head.

So in a mech that's all about the AC20 you bring only 3 tons of AC20 ammo? You waste 1.5 tons on a 210 engine instead of the default 200, and 2 tons (including ammo) on a pretty useless pair of MG? As for the modules, you prefer the ML range module instead of the AC20 range module which would give you a total effective range of 365m?
A very strange build.

[Ascaloth]

STD 210 instead of 200: That was because of SPARE tonnage. Yes, i'm serious. A little km/h gain is always welcome, too.

3 tons AC/20: Almost never needed more.

2 MGs: That's because when the right torso (hunch) armor is gone, the AC/20 is VERY likely to being destroyed. You take a few hits, your main weapon is lost, you are useless. Well, not much with those MGs, right?

Laser module range instead of AC/20 range: I like to get things close and personel when driving this beast, so i use the lasers for medium range poking and approach, firing the AC only when i'm sure the bullet will land on the target. That's why i don't even need a dozen ton of ammo.

With this setup, all the ammo is allocated in the legs, making a more sturdy brawler (unless they actually aim for the legs...)

Edited by Ascaloth, 03 February 2015 - 11:30 AM.

[N a p e s]

If I was going going to do AC20 + 2xMGs this is how I'd do it. 3 tons of AC20 ammo have felt limiting even pre-quirks and those extra rounds really let you increase your max damage potential.

Personally, I'm not convinced of the current utility of 2 MGs and I just dropped them to up the engine. Basically this

[HlynkaCG]

225 Engine with 3 MLs and an AC30 w/ 4 tons of ammo is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to the HBK-4G

[N a p e s]

HlynkaCG, on 03 February 2015 - 01:11 PM, said:

225 Engine with 3 MLs and an AC30 w/ 4 tons of ammo is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to the HBK-4G

AC30? Please guide me to this magical weapon! Seriously man, I want it.

[HlynkaCG]

PowerOfNapes, on 03 February 2015 - 01:13 PM, said:

AC30? Please guide me to this magical weapon! Seriously man, I want it.

typo, should read AC20 but you beat me to the edit button.

[N a p e s]

HlynkaCG, on 03 February 2015 - 01:16 PM, said:

typo, should read AC20 but you beat me to the edit button.

Darn! And here I was hoping for a pinpoint 30 damage weapon.

[HlynkaCG]

PowerOfNapes, on 03 February 2015 - 01:20 PM, said:

Darn! And here I was hoping for a pinpoint 30 damage weapon.

It's called "2 Gauss Rifles"

[N a p e s]

HlynkaCG, on 03 February 2015 - 01:29 PM, said:

It's called "2 Gauss Rifles"

Righto! I was just kidding though.

[process]

I prefer to put all my eggs in one basket: HBK-4G

[Void Angel]

stealthraccoon, on 02 February 2015 - 09:34 PM, said:

Seriously, Hunchies don't need to break the 80 kph mark to be effective (I almost always leave a STD200 in my torso because I like as much ammo as possible). Get caught out in the open and you are LRM bait, get used to it. Stay with the group until you get up close, flank, twist like mad, and use cover whenever possible. Stick your AC right up their nose until you are a smoking hulk.

Soulscour, on 03 February 2015 - 03:50 AM, said:

The 4G build is with the 250 engine and all upgrades. Its posted many times in many 4G threads which is one of the more talked about mechs since quirks. Smaller engine sizes are playable but not as good. Case in point the build Wintersdark posted

HBK-4G

vs

HBK-4G

extra leg armor vs 9kph and better heat efficiency? Come on....

I took my Hunchback 4G down to a 250 engine because I was routinely running out of ammo, after initially trying to build in a max engine because mobility. Don't get me wrong; mobility is useful, but two medium lasers plus mobility yields less damage than multiple tons of extra ammunition. =) I forgo the Medium Laser in the Head because it doesn't mesh well with my other weapons (lasers on arms, and front-loaded pinpoint) and I'd rather have the extra armor than a Medium Laser on its own weapon group, but that's my personal preference.

Regardless of personal preference, this build, with very little room for variance, is the best build for the Hunchback 4G currently. Why settle for a 225 engine and reduced heat efficiency when you can have a 250 engine by buying Ferro-fibrous armor and cutting a little armor? Especially compared to a 200 engine... The ability to get close enough to "stick your AC right up their nose" involves being able to actually catch them, and to cross danger zones while remaining alive.